Aa
General Questions Regarding Herpes
I've been thankful for this forum over the last few years in providing a resource to quell anxieties over STDs.
However, the possibility of hsv-2 acquisition during sex despite a condom is still a concern to me and i have a few questions in this regard:
1. I understand that HSV Transmission during protected vaginal intercourse is very low. Is there actual data (or estimates) regarding likelihood of transmission per sex act (assuming no active lesions)?
2. Is there anything else one can do to reduce transmission for example microbicides, etc. applied to the skin before of after the act?
3. Are there any male/female condoms which provide skin coverage?
4. Are there commercially available products similar to pregnancy testing where one could test themselves/partners at home before the act?
5. A number of responses to questions have stated 'dont worry about hsv if no lesions have appeared 1 month after the fact'. What about possibility of latent infection?
Thanks ahead of time.
However, the possibility of hsv-2 acquisition during sex despite a condom is still a concern to me and i have a few questions in this regard:
1. I understand that HSV Transmission during protected vaginal intercourse is very low. Is there actual data (or estimates) regarding likelihood of transmission per sex act (assuming no active lesions)?
2. Is there anything else one can do to reduce transmission for example microbicides, etc. applied to the skin before of after the act?
3. Are there any male/female condoms which provide skin coverage?
4. Are there commercially available products similar to pregnancy testing where one could test themselves/partners at home before the act?
5. A number of responses to questions have stated 'dont worry about hsv if no lesions have appeared 1 month after the fact'. What about possibility of latent infection?
Thanks ahead of time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The 1/1000 figure is for unprotected sex. Condoms are around 90% effective. All these figures are very rough estimates; no precise data exist.
Thanks Dr. H.
To clarify, is the 1/1000 approximation for unprotected? If so, what is the reduction with condom?
Thanks for your final comments-something i am aware of and this will be my last post.
To clarify, is the 1/1000 approximation for unprotected? If so, what is the reduction with condom?
Thanks for your final comments-something i am aware of and this will be my last post.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'll go directly to your questions.
1) The average risk of acquiring HSV-2 from vaginal sex is not well studied, but it probably averages somehwere around once per 1,000 exposures, if the partner is infected -- and of course most partners don't have it.
2) There are no data on microbicides or other such protection. I doubt they would be protective, and it is theoretically possible they could increase the risk, as some microbicides do for HIV.
3) The female condom provides a broader skin-to-skin barrier than the male condom. It doesn't seem logical that there are any significant differences among male condoms.
4) There is no rapid test for HSV, either for home use or in a clinic.
5) People with asymptomatic herpes probably are mostly those who just aren't so focused on their genitals or who ignore minor symptoms. When an anxious person who is worried about herpes doesn't notice anything wrong, especially after a low risk exposure (e.g., with a condom), that's reassuring evidence that infection didn't occur. It isn't proof, but nobody ever said it is.
This is one of several questions from you on this and other forums over the past couple of years, all reflecting an abnormally elevated fear of genital herpes. Nobody wants to get it, but for most infected people, it's not such a big deal and it is not worth the amount of emotional energy you have devoted to it. If you can't shake your hieghtened anxiety about herpes, consider seeking counseling about it. Anyway, let's make this your last question about it on this forum.
Regards-- HHH, MD
1) The average risk of acquiring HSV-2 from vaginal sex is not well studied, but it probably averages somehwere around once per 1,000 exposures, if the partner is infected -- and of course most partners don't have it.
2) There are no data on microbicides or other such protection. I doubt they would be protective, and it is theoretically possible they could increase the risk, as some microbicides do for HIV.
3) The female condom provides a broader skin-to-skin barrier than the male condom. It doesn't seem logical that there are any significant differences among male condoms.
4) There is no rapid test for HSV, either for home use or in a clinic.
5) People with asymptomatic herpes probably are mostly those who just aren't so focused on their genitals or who ignore minor symptoms. When an anxious person who is worried about herpes doesn't notice anything wrong, especially after a low risk exposure (e.g., with a condom), that's reassuring evidence that infection didn't occur. It isn't proof, but nobody ever said it is.
This is one of several questions from you on this and other forums over the past couple of years, all reflecting an abnormally elevated fear of genital herpes. Nobody wants to get it, but for most infected people, it's not such a big deal and it is not worth the amount of emotional energy you have devoted to it. If you can't shake your hieghtened anxiety about herpes, consider seeking counseling about it. Anyway, let's make this your last question about it on this forum.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
